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Forklift Battery: Fast and Opportunity Charging

As electric forklifts become more mainstream in the U.S. marketplace, companies must consider forklift battery charging options such as fast and opportunity charging. Forklift Battery Charging Options Fast or opportunity charging is ideal for companies with multi-shift operations. While conventional battery charging gives the forklift operator 8 hours of run-time, it then requires 8 hours […]

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Forklift Battery Maintenance

An often-talked-about advantage of purchasing an electric forklift (even a heavy-duty large electric forklift) is the fuel cost savings. While the acquisition costs are higher than an LP-powered forklift, the battery powers the electric unit for multiple years. However, there’s a factor many companies overlook when estimating the return on investment of the battery – the […]

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Electric Forklift Motor

What Is an Electric Forklift Motor? An electric forklift motor is a device that converts electro-chemical energy, provided by an industrial battery, into mechanical energy. An electric forklift motor must provide motion for the unit – forward, reverse, up and down – as well as power other items such as hydraulic pumps and electrical components. […]

5-Series Toyota Forklift

Forklift History and Classification

The first seated counterbalance forklift was produced by Clark Material Handling Company in 1918. The forklift was gasoline powered and started by manually cranking the engine. The Tructrator, as it came to be known, was the first vehicle to integrate an engine, frame, transmission, brakes, wheels and a steering system to address material handling jobs. […]

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Electric Forklifts versus IC Forklifts

The great debate – electric forklifts versus internal combustion (IC) forklifts. This decision is not only for new companies. Established companies may also weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each fuel, especially if there is a shift of priorities to “go green.” Electric Forklift Advantages The forklift industry has experienced a shift in sales, with […]

Toyota Stand-Up Electric Forklift

Reach Truck versus Stand-Up Rider Forklift

Currently, our warehouse utilizes reach trucks for their ease of use in narrow aisles. In the next 6 months, our application will require our forklift operators to load and unload trailers. Can we continue using our reach trucks? For narrow aisle applications, reach trucks offer a clear advantage. Operators can perform work in aisles as […]

Toyota Large Electric Forklift

Switching from an Internal Combustion Forklift to an Electric Forklift

Historically, internal combustion (IC) forklifts have dominated the manufacturing industry. Although electric forklifts provided cleaner emissions and low level noise, companies faced decreased production and struggled to justify the higher costs of batteries and charging stations. Today the electric forklift rivals the production of an IC forklift, matching or exceeding the alternative’s performance. Its reduction […]